The Netherlands government has decided that a new environmental tax will apply to plane tickets for all flights leaving the Netherlands from July 2008. The surcharge will be greater for long-haul than short-haul flights and passengers in transit in Dutch airports will be exempt. From January 2009, the rates will be lower for flights on planes that are more energy efficient. As of July 2009, although the tax has not been abolished, the rate will be zero for all flights and planes.